From Nigeria To The Bangor City Council: Angela Okafor Makes History

Angela Okafor works a hair appointment at her shop in Bangor. (Robbie Feinberg/Maine Public)

Earlier this month, Angela Okafor made history. She’s believed to be the first immigrant and person of color elected to the Bangor City Council. Okafor’s journey to elected office has required her to navigate numerous barriers in order to make a living in Maine. And now she’s dedicated to supporting other immigrants in an overwhelmingly white area of the state.

Angela Okafor’s small shop, called Tropical Tastes and Styles, is a bit hidden, behind a music store along Harlow Street in downtown Bangor.

“We’re going to tamper with a little bit of it. We don’t have a ton.” On a recent afternoon, Okafor is braiding a hair weave for a local woman sitting near the front window. Nearby, Okafor’s daughter zooms on a razor scooter through shelves of international food. Racks of clothing line the wall. And near the back is a small law office that Okafor also operates.

Read the rest of the story at Maine Public’s website.